Aria wilmottiana


Aria wilmottiana, commonly known as Willmott's whitebeam, is a species of whitebeam in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to England, and is found in the Avon Gorge, in Somerset and Gloucestershire. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

Aria wilmottiana is a small tree or shrub, up to 10m in height. It is often multistemmed, with rather upright branches.

Distribution

This species is confined to the Avon Gorge, in SW England; less than 100 individuals are known.

Ecology and evolution

Aria wilmottiana appears to be shade intolerant, growing in rocky scrub and grassland on shallow, mildly acidic soils. Aria wilmottiana arose from a cross between Aria edulis and Aria porrigentiformis.